23
Practicalities
The medical team will probably advise you to use rubber gloves when you help your
child go to the toilet in hospital and for the frst week at home, as you should avoid
contact with waste products containing even small amounts of chemotherapy
drugs.This may seem odd at frst, particularly at home, but quickly becomes routine.
It will depend on the hospital as to whether you’re advised to do this or not.
You may be in a separate room for your hospital stays or in an open ward,
depending on the hospital.The rooms have additional beds for parents and in open
wards there is likely to be a camp bed which you can put next to your child’s bed.
There may also be separate family accommodation near your hospital which you
can access, such as a house supported by CLIC Sargent or Ronald MacDonald.
As treatment continues the cumulative effect of the medicine may lead to greater
fatigue.You may notice that your child sits out of activities or becomes more tired in
the mornings.This is the time when a disabled badge (Blue Badge) is most useful as
it helps hugely with parking close to the hospital,which is often in a congested area
and can be very costly.Your social worker can advise and help you fll in forms to
apply for a disabled badge, as well as advise on a number of practical and fnancial
issues, particularly if you need to take an unpaid absence from work. If you’re
struggling fnancially, don’t be afraid to speak to the social worker,who can put you
in touch with someone who can help.
In the winter months you and your partner may be advised to have the fu jab so
that you don’t risk passing it on to your child. It could prevent you from going into
hospital with them when they are admitted either because you feel too ill or may
pass the infection on.